Kite control apparatus



T. C. BARBER KITE CONTROL APPARATUS April 23, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 5. 1961 ATTORNEYS April 23, 1963 T. c. BARBER 3,086,739

KITE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORfoofe @weer BY g? 7W ATTORNE Y April 23, 1963 T. c. BARBER KITE CONTROLAPPARATUS Filed Oct. 3. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 |30 |54 0, l I U" mlm 15eE@ m F- 5 ne y INVENIOR Theodore CBorber JM www Unire States atent3,686,739 KITE CONTROL APPARATUS Theodore C. Barber, Star Rte., Box 5,Winnemucca, Nev. Filed Oct. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 142,718 6 Claims. (Si.244--1S5) This invention relates to devices for controlling the flightof kites and more particularly to improved kite control devicesespecially adapted for controlling the night of bow kites to provideimproved maneuverability and ease of control.

Conventionally such kites are own and controlled by a single controllinc so attached to the kite as to render the kite stable in a singleflight attitude. Accordingly, control of the kite is limited withcontrol devices of this nature.

In order to provide increased maneuverability, control devices have beenproposed which include more than one control line leading from thecontrol device to the kite. However, such devices provide at best onlya. limited increase in the maneuverability of the kite and are generallycumbersome and complex. Further, so far as can be determined all suchdevi-ces have been constructed primarily for military use where the costof the unit is of secondary importance and none have provided suficientimprovement over the use of the conventional single control line towarrant their purchase by the general public.

The improved kite control devices of the present invention comprise agenerally T-shaped or cross-shaped frame assembly formed by a horizontalcontrol spar and a vertical control spar. Control lines pass over theends of the spars and are attached to the vertical and horizontal framemembers of the kite in such a manner that tilting or swinging movementof the control assembly produces corresponding movements of the kite sothat the kite may be own in a substantially unlimited series ofmaneuvers. The preferred form of the invention includes a reel assemblyfor simultaneously increasing or decreasing the effective length of allof the control lines and for permitting independent control of theeffective length of one of the lines.

It is, accordingly, the principal purpose and object of the presentinvention to provide improved kite control devices which affordincreased control over the flight of a kite to enable the operator tomaneuver the kite in a manner and to an extent not possible heretofore.

It is a further object to provide improved kite control devices whichare of relatively simple construction and which can be manufactured andsold at relatively low cost.

It is also an obiect of the invention to provide improved kite controldevices which facilitate launching and bringing the kite down as well ascontrolling its action while in flight.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent as thedescription proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE l is a front elevation of a preferred form of the kite controldevice showing the device in use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the lcontroldevice of FlGURE l showing details of construction;

FGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially alongline 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing details of construction;

FIGURE 4 is a further fragmentary section taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE2 with parts removed for clarity;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE l illustrating a modified form ofthe invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE l showing a further modification ofthe control device;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a modified control reel assembly;

FIGURE S is a transverse section taken along line 8 8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a central section of another form of reel assembly.

Referring now more particularly `to the drawings and especially toFIGURE l, the principal components of the form of the inventionthereshown are a central frame assembly 20, lateral control spars 22 and24, a vertical control mast or spar 26, and a control line reelindicated generally at 28. The frame assembly 29 includes front and rearcover plates 30 and 32, respectively, the marginal edges of which aresecured by suitable means such as bolts 34 to the inner ends of thethree spars 22, 24 and 26. To impart additional rigidity to thestructure a mounting block 36 is secured in place in the space boundedby the inner portions of spars 22, 24 and 26. While the dimensions andmaterials of the structure thus far described are not critical and maybe varied within reasonable limits, the spars 22, 24 and 26 arepreferably three-quarter inch square wood strip-s and the front and rearcover plates 3S and 32 are of Masonite or similar material, the formerbeing one-quarter inch thick and the latter being one-eighth inch thick.The frame structure 20 is approximately a four and a half inch square.The front cover plate 30 is provided with a central circular opening 38to accommodate the reel 28 which is mounted for free rotation on a bolt40 extending through block 36 and non-rotatably secured in place by nuts42 and 44. The rear surface of reel 2S is recessed as at 4S toaccommodate the nut 44.

A rectangular' brake shoe 46 preferably fabricated from one-quarter inchtempered Masonite is received in a recess 48 in the front face of theblock 36. A brake lever 5t) is pivotally mounted on the outer surface ofthe rear cover plate 32 by a U-bolt assembly 52. A bolt 54 which isadjustably locked in place on brake `lever 50 `by a lock not 56 extendsthrough the cover plate 32 into contact with the brake shoe 46. A brakespring 57, compressed between the lever 50 and the bottom of a recess 58formed in thc rear surface of a grip member S9 secured to the mainvertical spar 26, biases the brake lever 50' about the pivot formed bythe U-bolt 52 to resiliently urge the bolt 54 into contact with the rearsurface of the brake shoe 46. Thus the brake assembly normally urges thebrake shoe 46 into frictional contact with the rear surface of the reelto prevent free rotation of the latter on the bolt 4t). The brake may bereleased to permit rotation of the reel 28 by squeezing the lower end ofthe brake lever 50 against the spar 26 and grip 59.

The outer periphery of the reel 28 is provided with three grooves 60, 62and 64 which receive the respective control lines 66, 68 and 70 whichlead respectively to the outer ends of the horizontal spars 22 and 24and to the lower end of the vertical spar 26. It will be noted that thecover plate 3() forms a guard to prevent tangling of the control linesbetween the rear surface of reel 28 and the rbrake shoe 46 or the block36. The outer ends of each of the spars 22, 24 and 26 are provided withgrooves 72 through which the control lines pass. Brads 74 are passedthrough the outer ends of each of the spurs to enclose the grooves andretain the control lines within the grooves. The control lines passthrough a hole 75 which intersects the bottom of the grooves andatrtheir inner ends are secured to screw eye 76 secured to the frontsurface of the reel 28. The control line 66 is guided into the lowermostgroove 6l) by a staple 7S mounted in the horizontal spar 22 adjacent theframe 20. Eyelets 80 and 82 are secured by suitable means to therespective spars 24 and 26 and the frame 20 at the proper height toguide the respective control lines 68 and 70 into the grooves 62 and 64.The assembly is completed by a handle 83 suitable mounted on the forwardsurface of the reel 28.

As suggested above the control units of the present invention areparticularly adapted for controlling the flight of a standard bow kiteof the type shown generally at 84. Kites of this type comprise avertical mast 86 and a horizontal spar S8 which form a framework coveredby cloth, paper or plastic indicated at 90. In a typical case both thevertical and horizontal frame members of the kite are thirty-six incheslong and the horizontal spar 88 intersects the vertical mast 86 to apoint approximately six inches `below the top of the kite.

In use the control lines 66 and 68 are preferably secured to the kite 84at the opposite ends of the horizontal spar 88. The control line 70leading from the bottom of the vertical control spar 26 is attached to avertical kite spar 86 preferably at a point spaced above the lower endof the spar.

Experience has shown that in a control unit for use with a kite of thissize and construction the outer ends of the horizontal spars 22 and 24are preferably approximately eighteen inches from the center of the reel28. The lower end of the vertical control mast 26 is preferablyapproximately twenty-six inches from the center of the reel. Thus thedimensions of the control assembly preferably correspond closely to thedimensions of the standard kite mentioned above and the center of thereel 28 corresponds to the intersection of the kite members 86 and 88.

The length of the spars 22 and 24 and their angular relation is suchthat the points at their outer ends through which the respective controllines 66 and 68 pass are located in a plane containing the axis of thereel 28. Furtheir the length and angular position of the mast 26 aresuch that a plane containing the outer end of the mast and the reel axisis normal to a plane containing the reel axis and the outer ends ofspars 22 and 24.

This construction provides in the control device the symmetry of thekite.

The lower kite control line 70 is preferably attached to the kiteapproximately nine inches from the bottom of the `vertical kite mast 86.The exact point of attachment of the control line 70 to the kite may bevaried in practice depending upon the desired performance of the kite.When the kite and control device are constructed in accordance with thedimensions given above, the movement of the kite about the spar 88 whichforms the horizontal pivot and about the mast 86 which forms a verticalpivo't correspond to similar movements of the control assembly about thehorizontal spars 22 and 24 or the vertical spar 26.

The kite may `be launched easily by one person in a manner `similar tothat used for launching kites employing the conventional single controlline. Preferably the control device is grasped near the frame structureso that the hand encircles the brake lever 50. By squeezing slightly onthe brake lever the rate at which the control `lines unwind from thereel may be regulated as desired. When the kite has been launched andhas reached an appropriate altitude it may be flown in a substantiallyunlimited variety of maneuvers `by turning the control device about theaxis of the vertical control spar 26 or tilting the control device aboutthe axis of the lateral control spars 22 and 24 or by a combination ofthese motions. F or example, the kite may be moved up or down, to theleft, to the right, or it may be looped or flown inverted as desired.The kite may be brought down simply by reeling in the control lines 66,68 and 70.

When the kite is reeled in, the side control lines 66 and 68 always areunder substantially equal tension and accordingly wind evenly on thereel grooves 60 and 62. However, depending upon the velocity of the windand the manner in which the operator is maneuvering the kite at themoment, the bottom line 70 may wind on the reel more loosely than theother two strings. When this occurs the diameter increases faster in thegroove 64 causing the bottom control line 70 to wind in faster than thetwo side control lines 66 and 68. lt has been found in practice thatthis tendency is substantially eliminated by attaching the bottomcontrol line 70 at the point dcscribed above. If, when the control linesare `being unreeled or reeled in, the bottom control line becomesrelatively too short or too long, this condition may be corrected easilyby tilting the entire control device. 1f insufficient compensation isobtained in this manner a length of string may be wound on or unwoundfrom the reel as desired. It is for this reason that the bottom controlline 70 is received in the outermost of the grooves, since the remainingcontrol lines cannot be wound into or out of the inner grooves while thekite is in flight.

The control device shown in FIGURE 5 is of the same general constructionas that shown in FIGURES l and 2 except that it includes a fourthcontrol spar 92 suitably secured to the frame assembly 20. The outer endof the control spar 92 is provided with a groove and brad construction94 through which a fourth control line 96 is guided which is preferablyattached to the top of the kite as shown in FIGURE 5. The control linepasses through a locating eyelet 98 which guides the line into a fourthgroove in the modified reel 28a which is preferably located inwardiy ofthe groove in which the control line 70 is carried to permit the windingand unwinding of the control line 70 during flight of the kite asdescribed above.

If the control assembly of FlGURE 5 is to be used with the standardthirty-six inch kite described above the upper vertical control arm 92will project above the axis of the reel 28a a distance of approximatelyten inches. in any case the upper end of the spar 92 will be disposed inthe above-described plane containing the axis of reel 28 and the lowerend of mast 26.

The control assembly of FIGURES l through 4 is preferred to the controlassembly of FIGURE 5 because of its relative simplicity and becauseactual experience has shown that it provides as good or better controlthan the assembly of FIGURE 5.

FGURE 6 discloses a further modified and simplified form of kite controldevice` This form of the invention comprises a vertical mast 100 and ahorizontal spar 102 bolted together as at 104. The assembly is braced bya wire 106 which is attached to the vertical and horizontal members 100and 102 by suitable screw eyes or eyelets. In addition to impartingrigidity to the assembly the wire 106 also provides a convenient frameon which the four control lines 108, 109, 110 and 111 may be wound whenthe assembly is not in use. The four lines 10S-111 preferably passthrough groove and brad constructions 112 provided on the outer ends ofthe vertical and horizontal members 100 and 102 in a manner similar tothat described above. The control lines 109 and 111 are preferablyattached to the opposite ends of the vertical kite mast 86 and thecontrol lines 108 and 110 are attached to the ends of the horizontalspar 88. The dimensions of the horizontal and vertical control membersare preferably the same as the corresponding members in the kite and thepoint of attachment of the member 102 to the member 100 is preferably atsomewhat below the point at which the kite spar 88 crosses the kite mast86. Accordingly, any movement of the control assembly will producecorresponding movements of the kite to permit complete control of thekite and maneuvering of the kite as desired. The simplicity of this formof the invention recommends it `for certain uses. However, with thisform of control device the kite can be launched only after the controllines are laid out on the ground in full length. Accordingly, it isdifficult for one person to launch the kite and bring it in.

As stated above, depending upon the velocity of the wind and the mannerin which the kite is maneuvered the bottom control line 70 does notalways leave or return to the reel structure at the same rate of speedas the side control lines 66 and 68. In the form of the invention shownin FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 provision is made for moving the portion of thereel structure with which the bottom control line 7G is associatedeither independently of the remainder of the reel structure or with theremainder of the reel structure.

In this form of the invention the reel structure is divided into twoseparate rotatable components 114 and 116, the former having a groove118 for the reception of the bottom control line 70 and the latter 116having grooves 129 and 122 for the reception of the side control lines66 and 68. The rcel components 114 and 116 are rotatably supported on astud 124 which is carried by a frame assembly in the same manner as thestud 40 in the embodiment of FIGURES l through 4. Preferably a washer125 or other antifriction device is interposed between the reelcomponents 114 and 116.

Interposed between the head 128 of the Vstud 124 and the outer surfaceof the reel component 114 are a plate 130 which is hinged :as at 132 anda leaf spring 134. A retaining pin 136 is rigidly secured to the outerend of the hinged plate 130 and is adapted to extend through an opening133 in the outer reel component 114 into an opening 140 in the innerreel component 116. It will be noted that both the pin 136 and theopenings 13S and 143 are curved about the axis of the hinge 132 topermit the pin to be lifted free of the opening 14) about this axis.

When the pin is raised out of the opening 140 the outer reel component114 may be rotated freely in either direction to wind or unwind thelower control line 713y as required. The inner end of the pin willtravel along the outer surface of the inner reel component 116 until theparts come into alignment at which time the pin will automatically dropback into the opening 146 thus locking thc inner and outer reelcomponents together for operation in the same manner as the embodimentsof FIGURES l through 4.

An alternate form of two-part reel assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 9to which detaiied reference will now be made. In this form of theinvention the outer reel component 142, which carries the lower controlline 7i), is rotatably mounted on a relatively enlarged portion 144 of astud 146 which is associated with a support and brake structure in thesame manner as the embodiment of FIGURES l through 4. The inner reelcomponent 14S, which carries the side control lines 66 and 63, ismounted on a relatively reduced portion 150 of the stud, a shoulder 152on the stud bearing against a washer 154 to retain the inner rcelcomponent 148 in position without interfering with its free rotation.The inner surface of the outer reel component 142 is urged against theouter surface of the inner reel component 148 by a spring 156 compressedbetween the head 15S of the stud 146 and the bottom of a recess 169 inthe outer reel component. e spring 156 normally holds a projection 162on the outer reel component 142 in a recess 164 in the inner reelcomponent thus locking the outer reei cornponent against rotation withrespect to the inner rcel component.

The outer component may be released for independent rotation by liftingit away from the inner component. After the projection 162 is disengagedfrom the recess 164 the outer component may be rotated independently asrequired until the projection is again in alignment with the recess atwhich time the parts will automatically become locked together again.

Alternateiy, the two reel components may be selectively locked andunlocked by mounting the operating handle 83 for axial sliding movementin the outer reel component into and out of a recess in the inner reelcomponent. A spring may be provided to retain the handle in a lockingposition.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the above stated objects ofthe invention have been attained by the provision of improved devicesfor controlling the ight of kites which permit control of the kite to adegree not previously obtainable and which are simple, durable,lightweight and suciently inexpensive to permit purchase by a wide classof users.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed yand desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

l. Apparatus for controlling the ight of a kite having n vertical mastand a horizontal spar comprising, a frame assembly, at least fourcontrol arms, means mounting one end of each of said contr-ol arms onsaid frame assembly, the axes of two of said arms being substantiallyhorizontal when the apparatus is in use, and the axes of the third andfourth arms being substantially normal to the axis of said two arms andbeing substantially vertical when the apparatus is in use, the oppositeends of said two arms being spaced apart a distance substantially equalto the length of said horizontal spar, guide means mounted adjacent theouter ends of each of said arms, a control line extending along eachcontrol arm through said guide means for attachment to said kite, a reelmounted on said frame assembly for rotation about an axis substantialiynormal to the axes of each of said control arms and having peripheralgrooves for receiving said control lines, the control line leading fromsaid fourth control arm being reccived in the outermost groove of saidreel, thc control lines leading from said two control arms beingattached to said horizontal spar and the control lines leading from saidthird and fourth arms being attached to the vertical mast of said kite.

2. Kite `and control apparatus comprising a kite having a vertical mastand a horizontal spar, a frame assembly, three control arms, meansmounting one end of each of said control arms on said frame assembly,the axes of two of said arms being substantialiy horizontal when theapparatus is in the use and the Vartis of the third control arm beingsubstantially vertical when the apparatus is in use, the opposite endsof said two arms being spaced apart a distance substantiaily equal tothc length of said horizontal kite spar, a reel mounted on said frameassembly for rotation about an axis normal to the axes of said controlarms and carrying a separate control line for each of said arms, guidemeans mounted adjacent the outer ends of each of said control arms, saidcontrol lines passing over the guide means at the outer ends of saidcontrol arms, the control lines leading from said two control arms beingattached to said horizontal kite spar and the control line leading fromsaid third control arm being attached to the vertical mast of said kite.

3. Kite and control apparatus comprising a kite having a vertical mastand a horizontal spar, a frame assembly, four control arms, meansmounting one end of said control arms on said frame assembly, the axesof the first and second contr-o1 arms being substantially horizontalwhen the apparatus is in use and the axes of the third and fourthcontrol arms being substantially vertical when the apparatus is in use,the opposite ends of said rst and second control arms being spaced aparta distance substantially equal to the length of said horizontal spar, areel mounted on said frame assembly for rotation about an axissubstantially normal to the axis of each of said control arms, guidemeans at the outer ends of each of said control arms and first, second,third and fourth control lines carried in separate grooves on said reeland adapted, respectively, to pass along the first, second, third andfourth control arms and through :said guide means, said rst and secondcontrol lines being attached to said kite adjacent the opposite ends ofsaid horizontal spar and the third and fourth control lines beingattached to said kite adjacent the opposite ends of said vertical mast.

4. Kite control apparatus for a kite having a vertical mast and ahorizontal spar, comprising a frame assembly, three control arms, meansmounting one end of each of said control arms on said frame assembly,the axes of two of said arms being substantially horizontal and the axisof the third control arm being substantially vertical when the apparatusis in use, the opposite ends of said two arms being spaced apart adistance substantially equal to the length of said horizontal kite spar,a reel assembly mounted on said frame assembly for rotation about anaxis normal to the axes of said control arms, said reel assembly havingtwo independently rotatable components, one of said components carryingcontrol lines passing over guide means on the Outer ends of said twocontrol arms for attachment to said horizontal kite spar and the otherreel component carrying a control line passing over guide means at theouter end of said third control `arm for attachment to the vertical mastof said kite, and means for selectively locking and unlocking said tworeel components to permit simultaneous adjustment of the length of allof said control lines or the independent adjustment of the length of thecontrol line leading to the vertical mast of said kite.

5. Apparatus for controlling the flight of a kite having a vertical mastand a horizontal spar comprising a frame assembly, at least threecontrol arms, means mounting one end of each of said control arms onsaid frame asparallel and the axis of the third arm being substantially'parallel and the axes of the third arm being substantially normal to theaxes of said two arms and being substan tially vertical when theapparatus is in use, guide means mounted adjacent the outer ends of eachof said arms,` a control line extending along each control arm throughsaid guide means for attachment to said kite, a iirst reel assemblymounted on said frame assembly for rotation about an `axis substantiallynormal to the axes of each of said control arms and having peripheralsurface forrnations for receiving the control lines extending along saidtwo control arms and a second reel assembly mounted for rotationcoaxially of said first reel assembly and having a peripheral surfaceformation for receiving the control line extending along said thirdcontrol arm, and means for selectively locking and unlocking said firstand second reel assemblies to permit simultaneous adjustment of thelength of each of said control lines or the independent adjustment ofthe control line leading along said third control arm.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 together with brake means forselectively locking each of said reel nssemblies against rotation withrespect lo said frame.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,388,478 Garber Nov. 6, 1945 2,659,999 Turner Nov. 24, 1953 2,807,426Kelern et al Sept. 24, i957 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No. 3,086,739 April 23, wel

Theodore C. Barber It is hereby certified that error appears in theabove numbered patent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent should read as corrected below.

parallel and the axis of the and insert instead sembly, ingsubstantially Signed and sealed this 3rd day of December 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

i EDWIN L. REYNOLDS ERNEST W. SWIDER AUCSIlg Officer Ac tingCommissioner of Patents

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLIGHT OF A KITE HAVING A VERTICAL MASTAND A HORIZONTAL SPAR COMPRISING, A FRAME ASSEMBLY, AT LEAST FOURCONTROL ARMS, MEANS MOUNTING ONE END OF EACH OF SAID CONTROL ARMS ONSAID FRAME ASSEMBLY, THE AXES OF TWO OF SAID ARMS BEING SUBSTANTIALLYHORIZONTAL WHEN THE APPARATUS IS IN USE, AND THE AXES OF THE THIRD ANDFOURTH ARMS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE AXIS OF SAID TWO ARMS ANDBEING SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL WHEN THE APPARATUS IS IN USE, THE OPPOSITEENDS OF SAID TWO ARMS BEING SPACED APART A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUALTO THE LENGTH OF SAID HORIZONTAL SPAR, GUIDE MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT THEOUTER ENDS OF EACH OF SAID ARMS, A CONTROL LINE EXTENDING ALONG EACHCONTROL ARM THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO SAID KITE, A REELMOUNTED ON SAID FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS SUBSTANTIALLYNORMAL TO THE AXES OF EACH OF SAID CONTROL ARMS AND HAVING PERIPHERALGROOVES FOR RECEIVING SAID CONTROL LINES, THE CONTROL LINE LEADING FROMSAID FOURTH CONTROL ARM BEING RECEIVED IN THE OUTERMOST GROOVE OF SAIDREEL, THE CONTROL LINES LEADING FROM SAID TWO CONTROL ARMS BEINGATTACHED TO SAID HORIZONTAL SPAR AND THE CONTROL LINES LEADING FROM SAIDTHIRD AND FOURTH ARMS BEING ATTACHED TO THE VERTICAL MAST OF SAID KITE.